Sharp Park (at the current location of 104 Hilton Way) as the location for a new, large, full-service branch.

Sanchez Library as a small branch with an Open Access design, combined with Community Center Annex space. Sanchez Library would be renovated to accommodate an "Open Access Library" and Community Spaces to accommodate Parks, Beaches & Recreation (PB&R) programming, community uses and partnership opportunities, as well as library services.

An Open Access Library is a new type of library service based on a service model that would provide basic library services and allow the library to remain open for additional hours even when library staff are not present. During these additional hours, you would be able to:

Scan your library card and/or use your PIN to enter the library

Browse popular collections

Pick up reserved books and items

Connect to free wi-fi

Use a computer

Access online resources

Print and photocopy

Return and renew items using self-service kiosks

At its January 22, 2018 meeting, the City Council:

Received the Pacifica Libraries Opportunities Report with recommendations from the Library Advisory Committee regarding system strategy, site options for construction of a new library and operational scenarios. See the Agenda Staff Report on this item from the City Council Meeting agenda for more information.

The Council preliminarily selected a two-branch system strategy (1 Large Branch + 1 Small Branch), and directed further evaluation of operational and financial feasibility. A report will return to the City Council at a future date for a final System Facility Strategy selection.

The Council selected the existing Sharp Park Library site for the large branch and directed staff to proceed with conceptual design and evaluation of funding feasibility.

The Council also concurred with the Library Advisory Committee’s recommendation that Sanchez Library continue to be the location for the small branch and that feasibility and funding evaluation include this site’s possible renovation and/or expansion. Council directed that partnering opportunities should also be evaluated.

Recent Activities / Accomplishments

Final Report (Pacifica Libraries Opportunities) summarizing recommendations from the Library Advisory Committee on planning towards a new Pacifica library. Feedback from community outreach activities and Library Advisory Committee meeting discussions is summarized and considered in the report and recommendations. The Pacifica Libraries Opportunities Report was presented to City Council at the 1/22/2018 City Council meeting.

Community Outreach Open House and Workshops were held November 2, 2017; September 28, 2017 and May 23, 2017 to provide the community with updated on the planning process toward a new Pacifica Library and receive input from the community in the process. See the flyer here.

Online Surveys provided another way for the community to provide input on the library project planning. The results of these surveys, together with feedback from the community at the scheduled workshops and touchpoints at community events such as Fog Fest, Kops & Kids and the Farmers Market are summarized here and will be considered in developing recommendations in a report to City Council to be presented on 1/22/2018.

Community Survey - Pacifica Libraries Opportunities - invited feedback on community priorities for library SPACES and ACTIVITIES that our residents would like to see in a new library to serve our community. Click the link to see the results of the online survey.

Library Advisory Committee

The Library Advisory Committee (LAC) has been established to serve in an advisory capacity to staff by providing feedback on various elements of the new Pacifica Public Library project such as project priorities, direction and selection of professional consultants as needed; to facilitate communication between the City and community to solicit feedback and opinions on the Library project and to foster two-way communication.

Past History

The City of Pacifica has been working toward constructing a new, single, up-to-date library to meet our community’s needs for more than a decade. Major public projects such as libraries often require lengthy planning timeframes to ensure the project represents and fits the community in terms of size, services, and amenities. Our project is no exception.

This process began in 1999 when the City of Pacifica joined the San Mateo County Library Joint Powers Authority. The SMC Library JPA’s vision for library services focused on one library per community that was able to meet the community’s needs well. By joining, the City acknowledged the expectation and began work toward a single, up-to-date library facility.

City Council Votes for Next Planning Steps for New Pacifica Library

At the meeting held on November 23, 2015, the City Council voted unanimously to take the next steps toward realizing the vision for a new library in Pacifica. Those steps include:

Hiring an architect to complete the next phase of library design known as “schematic design”;

Recognizing that a new tax measure to generate new revenue will be needed to construct the library;

Hiring experts to determine and measure community support for a tax; and

Appropriating sufficient funding to match funds available from San Mateo County for library planning and design activities.

Library Conceptual Design and Cost Estimate – 10/29/12
Group 4 Architects completed the first phase of design work and produced this report that included a conceptual design and estimated cost. The City will select an architecture firm to complete the library design in early 2016. The next design phase is called “schematic design”.

Library Needs Assessment – 6/10/11
Pages 1-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151-225
This report was prepared by Anderson Brule Architects based on extensive input from the community. (The report is a large file and posted in segments.)